West African Bloc, Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) has cleared the air on the suspension of Niger Republic.
This is coming after Bazoum was overthrown in a coup on July 26 and was held at the presidential palace along with his family in a coup.
The bloc, which met at the 64th Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government which took place on 10 December issued a statement posted on its website and X (formerly known as Twitter) platform to clarify the terms of Niger Republic’s suspension.
According to the statement, the Authority of the Heads of State and Government considered the situation in the Republic of Niger as an attempted coup, and H.E. Mohamed Bazoum as the president and head of state of the Republic of Niger.
ECOWAS further stated that the consideration meant that Niger was not suspended from the bloc’s decision-making bodies and “that members of Bazoum’s government could represent Niger in ECOWAS statutory meetings.”
It also formerly recognised that the government of ousted Niger Republic president Bazoum has been effectively overthrown in a military coup.
The West African group declared that Niger stands suspended from all decision-making bodies of ECOWAS until the restoration of constitutional order in the country.
Niger After the Coup
The Niger coup was denounced by France and the majority of Niger’s neighbours until their release. Several Western countries began to cut aid to the country following the coup and ill-treatment of Bazoum.
Niger Republic has since then been suspended by the African Union, Central African and other blocs following the coup.
The military rulers also barred French aircraft from entering its airspace, intensifying tensions in an already strained diplomatic relationship. The French troops were also ordered to leave the country.
The presence of the troops in Niger has been part of France’s effort to maintain its influence through counter-insurgency operations in the region.
Another Niamey resident said he was “very, very happy” that the French were departing, saying “we will have nothing to do with them again.”